Greenwich YWCA Dolphins hold tryouts

Justin Pottle

Updated 10:12 pm, Wednesday, August 21, 2013

As the summer nears its end, the school year ramps up and the weather threatens to cool down, the Greenwich YWCA is seeking out all those children who can't seem to stay out of the water.

The highly decorated YWCA Greenwich Dolphins swim team is nearing the beginning of its season and its coaches are preparing for the selection of the newest class of swimming champions.

Head Coach Nick Cavataro is holding open tryouts throughout the first week of September for the nationally ranked swim team for 5- to 18-year-old boys and girls from Fairfield and Westchester counties.

And Michael Phelps better watch out. One of the new recruits may be coming for his Olympic gold medal records.

"Over they're more than 40 years of existence, (the Dolphins) have become a great team," said Greenwich YWCA Director of Aquatics Bruce Semer.

It's not all talk -- the Dolphins have the record to back it up, having emerged over 43 seasons as one of the dominant swim clubs in Connecticut, competing nationally and internationally.

Dolphins have recently shattered state records for the 15- and 16-year-old boys' 200-meter medley relay and the 100- and 200-meter individual medley relay for girls ages 10 and younger, among many others. Since its inception, the team claims 260 state champions, 20 senior national qualifiers, and several Olympic trial qualifiers.

They're no slouches in the classroom either -- the team boasts a 100 percent college matriculation rate.

Tryouts will be held from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, Thursday, Sept. 5 and Friday, Sept. 6 for swimmers 8 and younger, and from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. for those 9 and older.

An additional session will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. for younger swimmers and from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. for older swimmers.

For more information, email Cavataro at ncavataro@greenwichdolphins.com